1-855-722-2552According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), the state of Florida sustained 235,461 auto collisions in 2010, which resulted in 2,444 traffic fatalities. Across the United States there are more than 6 million car crashes each year. Half of those accidents results in some kind of injuries to those involved and 2 million of those will be permanent injuries. With such a massive number of auto accidents, traffic injuries, and motor vehicle fatalities, it is essential that all Florida motorists understand the proper actions to take after an accident.
Statistically, a person dies every 12 minutes due to a traffic crash of some sort. In Florida, more and more auto accidents are being seen on the roads and highways throughout the state. A number of factors contribute to the frequency of collisions in the Sunshine State; however, Florida is certainly a hotspot for crashes. Beyond a growing population, the state of Florida is a picturesque place to leisurely drive. Due to the beautiful scenery, many drivers in Florida are tempted to simply drive around for fun, often on motorcycles, to enjoy the outdoors. There were over 300 motorcyclists killed in accidents this past year.
There is always a chance that an accident will occur while driving on the roads and highways in Florida. Unfortunately, some of these collisions will simply be unavoidable, as other drivers’ actions are unpredictable and reckless. When a crash does occur, it is imperative that the motorist knows what to do, not only for their own safety, but for the safety of all passengers involved.
Gordon & Partners believes that when a driver is educated they are better able to either circumvent a crash or handle the aftermath is a collision is inescapable. When you or a loved are involved, it is critical to have an understanding of what to do after an accident. Our reputable personal injury attorneys are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle all of our clients’ questions and concerns.
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After an Accident Checklist
While no one is truly prepared for an auto accident, keeping a few important items inside your vehicle at all times will play a significant role in the event of a crash. When an accident occurs, those involved often feel flustered, overwhelmed, and unable to make sound decisions. In these situations, having the proper crash items inside of your car not only helps the accident aftermath to flow smoothly, but it actually calms the driver. Feeling like you are as prepared as possible is an easy way to make the outcome of a stressful collision as efficient as possible.
Florida drivers should keep the following items in an easily-accessible location inside of the vehicle:
Cell phone
Vehicle registration
Insurance identification card
Camera (if not one on cell phone)
First-aid kit
Pen and paper
Emergency contact information
Jumper cables
List of allergies/medical conditions (for both the driver and family members)
Keep in truck: cones, emergency flares, and warning triangles
Car accidents are certainly hectic. Nevertheless, keeping the above items in your vehicle will help to ease nerves and make a chaotic situation as calm as possible. In addition, these items will help the officer who arrives at the scene of the crash. The more organized and prepared accident victims are, the smoother and quicker the “after an accident” procedures will go.
For more information, simply fill out a Free Case Evaluation on this page.
What to do After an Accident
Immediately following an accident, the driver is typically flustered, unable to make sound decisions or think clearly. These reactions are common, however, it is important that Florida motorists prepare beforehand, so that when the unthinkable occurs, proper and useful reactions will be second nature. Due to the frantic atmosphere in any accident, it is easy for the victim to quickly forget critical details about the crash, who was involved, if any witnesses were present, etc. Therefore, Florida drivers must do a few essential things after an accident.
The following pieces of advice will make any traffic collision aftermath as smooth as possible:
First and foremost, check that everyone inside of your vehicle is safe
Immediately contact emergency medical services if there are any injuries
Move all vehicles involved in the crash to the side of the road, or to the safest area possible
Put emergency flashers on
Call 911 to file a report about the collision
While waiting for an officer to arrive, be sure to exchange information with the other driver(s) involved, including: full names, addresses, insurance information, and all contact information possible
Remain at the scene of the accident until given permission by the officer on scene to leave
Use your cell phone or camera to captures as many pictures as possible, photograph damages to cars, property, as well as the general location, intersection, construction work, etc.
If witnesses were present, be sure to take down all of their contact information
Report the accident to your insurance agency
Make sure to avoid making any statements regarding the accident, either party involved will be held liable for any statements made
Keeping these important suggestions in mind will help the events after an accident go as smoothly as possible. It is important to note that many accident victims feel fine immediately following a crash, yet other injuries slowly develop in the days after. For this reason, we suggest visiting a doctor after an accident, regardless of how you feel, to ensure that no internal injuries are present.
If you or a loved one has been in injured in a traffic collision, our auto accident attorneys are prepared to guide you through the litigation process. Our staff is available to serve the entire state of Florida.
Florida Lawyers are Here to Help
At Gordon & Partners, we treat each and every client with the same respect and compassion. When an accident occurs, our staff understands that there are a million things for the victim to take care of and handle. With this in mind, our traffic collision attorneys take the time to get to know the accident victim, as well as their case, ensuring that we are able to craft the best claim possible. Our personal injury lawyer s have years of experience and have obtained favorable verdicts and settlements for thousands of clients. At our Florida firm, we always represent and fight for the injured.
Fill out a Free Case Evaluation and get started today with a no-obligation, confidential consultation.
